Tips and Tricks for Rhodium Plated Jewellery Care

How to Clean Rhodium Plated Jewellery

Clean Rhodium Plated Jewellery with warm water and mild liquid soap. Rinse and dry immediately with a soft polishing cloth to avoid leaving watermarks.

Do not use any chemicals on your Rhodium items including those for silver or gold. This includes specialized cleaning cloths. Rhodium plate should not be cleaned with abrasives of any kind including toothpaste and brushes.

Ultrasonic cleaners are not suitable for use on this material.

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Rhodium: Essential Tips for Sparkling Shine

Rhodium electroplated or “dipped” jewellery offers a stunning shine and durability that make it a popular choice for accessories. However, to keep your Rhodium pieces looking their best, proper care and maintenance are crucial.

Rhodium plating is a coating on the surface of an object and it can wear off over time. This wear is determined by several factors such as the micron thickness of the plating and the amount of wear and tear the item receives. Items like rings receive contact with door and draw handles, household appliances, utensils and tools and will wear faster than earrings and may show excessive wear and discolouration within 6 months to two years. Avoid excessive washing or rubbing of the exposed surface to lengthen the life of the jewellery.

Remove your rhodium jewellery before swimming as chlorine and chemicals in the water can damage the plating and dull the look of your jewellery

Understanding Rhodium Plating

Before diving into cleaning methods, it’s essential to understand what rhodium plating is and why it requires particular care. Rhodium is a rare and precious metal. It is a tough but brittle metal making it unsuitable for jewellery making. It is often used to plate jewellery, providing a bright, chrome like, reflective surface, and enhancing durability.

While rhodium plating adds beauty and protection to your jewellery, it also requires gentle handling to maintain its lustre. Rhodium plating can wear off over time and require replating which is time consuming, costly and the preparation process can wear down the original base gold or silver metal of the piece.

Recognizing Rhodium Plating

Your trusted jeweller should be able to tell you if your piece is Rhodium plated or the more expensive Platinum. Rhodium plating is often found on “White Gold” and can be identified by gold stamps on silver-coloured pieces.

Rhodium plated over gold and called “white gold” will generally be stamped 10k or 14k to indicate what type of gold it is. If a silver-coloured piece has a gold stamp then its Rhodium plated. 

If it’s an older piece, you may be able to see the gold colour through any worn areas.

Gentle Cleaning Methods for Rhodium Plated Jewellery

The key to cleaning rhodium plated jewellery lies in using gentle methods that won’t damage the delicate surface. Warm water and mild liquid soap are your best friends when it comes to cleaning rhodium items.

Simply mix a little mild soap in tepid water and gently wipe your jewellery using a soft cloth. Remember to use a bowl or put the plug in the sink. The last thing you want is to wash your piece down the drain.

After cleaning your rhodium plated jewellery, it’s crucial to rinse off any soap residue thoroughly. Use lukewarm water to ensure all traces of soap are removed. Once rinsed, dry the jewellery immediately with a soft polishing cloth to prevent watermarks from forming.

Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Say No to Abrasives

One of the most important rules for cleaning rhodium plated jewellery is to avoid harsh chemicals at all costs. This includes cleaning solutions designed for silver or gold jewellery, as well as specialized cleaning cloths. Chemicals can strip away the rhodium plating, leaving your jewellery dull and tarnished.

Abrasive materials such as toothpaste and brushes should never be used to clean rhodium plated jewellery. These harsh substances can scratch the surface of the plating, diminishing its shine and beauty. Stick to gentle cleaning methods to preserve the integrity of your jewellery.

Steer Clear of Ultrasonic Cleaners:

While ultrasonic cleaners are effective for many types of jewellery and stones, they are not suitable for rhodium plated items. The intense vibrations produced by ultrasonic cleaners can damage the delicate rhodium plating, leading to premature wear and tear.

Jewellery consists of many different materials, metals, stones, gems, and organic materials. Each material brings its own cleaning challenges.  If in doubt, please just wipe your piece over with a soft cloth after each wear. 

Conclusion:

Rhodium plating (in good condition) can provide a protective barrier for metal allergy sufferers from Nickle that may be present in some jewellery including some White Gold and Titanium pieces. With the right care, your rhodium plated jewellery will continue to dazzle and delight for many years.

For more jewellery care tips and expert advice, stay tuned to my blog for future updates and insights!

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